Sweet Heat at Bayside(26)

Chapter Twelve




"THERE'S SOMETHING VERY wrong about you being dressed to kill when I'm  this far away," Drake said in a husky voice that made Serena want to  crawl through the phone Wednesday afternoon instead of heading into her  meeting with Muriel Younger.         

     



 

She was standing outside the building. She dipped her head as a couple  walked by, so they wouldn't notice the flush heating her cheeks, and  spoke quietly into the phone. "If you're lucky, maybe I'll show you what  I have on under this killer outfit on FaceTime tonight."

He made a growling noise, and she felt it against her skin like his  rough, calloused fingers. "Let's make that a promise, sweetheart, not a  maybe, because just that thought is going to keep me on edge all day."

"I like you all edgy and hot for me," she said seductively.

"I'm hot for you every minute of the day. Two more nights, baby, and  then you're mine. I hope you haven't made plans to see anyone else this  weekend, because we might never leave the bedroom."

Her head spun with lustful thoughts. "I like that idea, but the girls might take issue with you hogging all my time."

The last few days had been a blur. In addition to researching Muriel's  existing offices, studying the layout and designs, and going over the  previous presentations her firm had put together over the last few  years, Serena began researching the other clients she'd been assigned.  She also followed up on the entertainment for Drake's grand opening,  verified delivery dates for the furniture and other items that were  still on order, fielded questions from both Justine at Shift and Harper,  and tried to keep up with the girls back home via texts, but it wasn't  like she could keep her phone by her side every second. By the time she  fell into bed at night with Drake on the other end of the phone, she was  exhausted. Playful dirty talk had always been part of their friendship,  but the truth behind their feelings had taken it to a whole new level.  He revved her up every single night. They'd never taken it further than a  few steamy comments, but the thought of being naughty on a video chat  with him made her insides thrum.

"A ravenous man can't be given time limits." His deep voice drew her attention.

"Okay, dirty boy. Wish me luck, because if I stay on the phone with you, I'm going to lose it."

"That does not make me want to end this call."

"Yeah, me either," she admitted, her temperature rising. "But duty  calls. I'll tell you what. If I have time, I'll stop at Kane's and have a  Chocolate Orgasm just for you."

"Mm. Chocolate. I'm adding that to my grocery list for the weekend, right alongside whipped cream."

"Oh my goodness," she said breathily. "Bye, dirty boy."

"Later, you sexy thing, and remember, you've got this. She's lucky to work with you."

Serena took a moment to breathe before heading inside for her meeting.  She should have known better than to talk to Drake before her first big  meeting, but she missed him. Even though he turned her on endlessly, he  also calmed her jitters and made her feel confident and capable in ways  no one else ever had. Which was exactly how she felt as Muriel Younger  greeted her twenty minutes later. Muriel's capped-sleeve Elie Tahari  black shift had three spearlike cutouts around the high neckline and  clung just enough to her rail-thin frame to be business appropriate. Her  coal-black hair was cut in a pixie style, like Chloe's, but while the  cut looked soft and elegant on her sister, coupled with Muriel's  black-framed glasses and perfectly penciled eyebrows, hers looked  severe.

"Serena," Muriel said sharp and fast, as if chastising her. "It's a pleasure to meet you."

Muriel's firm handshake validated Serena's initial impression. "Thank you. I'm excited to get started on your project."

Muriel didn't crack a smile as she headed for the door and said, "I'll  be out for the next half hour," without turning to face the  receptionist, whom Serena assumed she was talking to.

She followed her out the office door, hurrying to keep up as Muriel sped  through another door and up a stairwell to the next floor.

"You're familiar with Younger, Lynch, and Ryan, I assume?"

"Yes, ma'am," Serena said, glad she'd done her research. "It's the  largest women-run law firm in the country, the fifth-largest law firm in  the region. It was founded by your mother, who is now retired, and  you've just acquired two more offices in New York and Philadelphia-"

"You've done your homework," Muriel said as they entered the partially  unfinished space her company would soon be utilizing and made their way  toward the offices along the exterior walls.

A nearly blank slate. Serena's dream come true.

"We'd like to move our merger and acquisitions team in within sixty days," Muriel said sharply.         

     



 

"Sixty days will be tight, with the build-out."

Muriel's gaze turned colder. "Sixty days can be done."

"Yes, of course, as long as there are no major last-minute changes."  Serena made a mental note to discuss the time frame with Suzanne.

"Your firm has worked with our architect before, Drew Ryder at Ryder Associates. He's expecting your call."

"I'll call this afternoon. I've researched your existing offices and  have a handle on your brand and the mood you typically like to set. Are  there any chang-"

"If you've studied our brand, then you know there is only one mood,"  Muriel said as she crossed the concrete floor, her Christian Louboutin  heels tapping out a fast beat. "We portray utmost professionalism in  every office, on every floor, in every location."

"Yes, of course." Broken record much? She wanted to offer something new  to this woman. If she wanted a rerun of all her other offices, why go  with one of the most expensive companies in the area? "I'll make a note  that you'd like to carry over the same color scheme as downstairs. What  about walls? Glass walls, at least in the conference rooms, would allow  for more natural light in the rest of the office."

"And less privacy," Muriel said sharply.

"Noted. Let's talk about the flow of the office. Will there be a reception area on this floor?"

"Yes. Let's go back downstairs and I'll have my assistant walk you  through. She can answer any other questions you may have," Muriel said  as she walked back toward the stairwell.

So much for Serena's dream come true. She was as hamstrung as a mummy.

Two hours later she returned to her office, scheduled an appointment to  meet with Drew Ryder the following day, and headed straight to Suzanne's  office. She found her studying floor plans at her desk.

Suzanne waved her in. "How'd it go with Muriel?"

"I'm not sure, actually. She's worked with the company for eight years,  and you've designed six suites for the firm. I assumed she might want to  freshen things up, but she has no interest in any design suggestions.  Do you think I missed something?"

Suzanne waved to the chair. "Sit down. Let's talk." She came around the  desk and sat in the chair beside Serena. "Muriel is one of our top  clients, and yes, she has a very specific way of doing things. But she  expects the same treatment as our less-controlling clients."

"Which means a senior designer instead of a junior who would be perfectly competent for the job?" Serena asked.

"Exactly. Companies come to us for our expertise. Some of them truly  want the design experience we bring to the table, while others simply  want the ability to say we are on their team."

"I understand." Even if I don't like it. "I'll work up the space plans  and meet with Spencer and Laura to get them up to speed. I've scheduled a  presentation meeting with Muriel next Tuesday. Would it irk her if I  showed her exactly what she's asked for as well as something slightly  different on the off chance she might budge?"

"You can try, but it'll be a futile effort," Suzanne said with a shake  of her head. "I was once idealistic like you, and I admire your  persistence. But don't take Muriel's attitude as a personal affront to  your abilities. I only send her the designers I know I can trust to get  things right."

"Okay. Thank you. There's one more thing. She asked for a sixty-day  turnaround. I know it's possible, but one hitch in the plans and that  time line will be shot."

Suzanne rose to her feet. "When it comes to Muriel, there can be no  hitch, and in my experience with Muriel Younger, there is no wiggle  room."

"Okay." Serena nodded. "I do love a challenge."

Serena headed into her office, wishing she'd stopped for that doughnut  on the way back to the office. If ever she needed a little pick-me-up,  it was today.

Since when is a doughnut better than cookies?

Since Kane's Donuts reminds me of Drake.

There was no time to fret over cravings or ridiculous clients. They were  the ones who paid her salary, after all. But there was always time for  her best craving and her most spectacular sort of client. Drake. If only  every job were like the resort or the music store.